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Welcome to the ad-free internet

economist.com

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Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#151

Post by jncfhnb »

avgcorrection wrote: post #138
zigman1 wrote: post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd even argue that internet, while it was seen as a counter-balance to the ad infected tv and radio space, has become WORST than watching a TV. If I want to show something on YT to my friend, and I don't know exactly which video is correct, well lots of luck to me to find it in first few tries, as EACH video I click on will first show me a two unskippable ads, no matter how short the video is

Exactly right. Good luck using a for-reference video where you have to seek around a lot to exactly the parts you need. Have fun watching the same two unskippable ads every time. Meanwhile (on TV) my parents just record the shows they want and wind through the ad breaks that come up on a set schedule.

One day we’re gonna have sandboxes that run through web assembly ad infested garbage dumps and then recreate it for you with ai directed obfuscated versions

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#152

Post by wrasee »

bambax wrote: post #103
DeathArrow wrote: post #83

I benefit from ad free internet since the first ad blocker extension was made.

Same. It's a bit weird to write a whole article on ads on the Internet and not mention ad blocking once. I don't want to see ads, any ad, ever, and so far I'm succeeding, but I wonder how long this is going to last.

I'm amazed that ad-blockers are not more popular.

They do require a certain degree of technical understanding, but the extension system on most browsers is fairly mainstream so I don't think it's for this reason alone.

Can it be as simple as the idea that almost all of media is universally disincentivized from talking about them? Of course there is a lot of content on ad-blockers out there, but the pressure may still be high enough to suppress cut-through to the mainstream. If that's the case it would be a nice example as to the extent of media influence more broadly.

This article is a case in point, where you would have thought that ad-blockers may have been relevant. And as a side point, perhaps also a good example of where you don't even have to be rich if you are knowledgable. Technical literacy is in itself a kind of digital affluence.

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#153

Post by shiroiuma »

bambax wrote: post #103
DeathArrow wrote: post #83

I benefit from ad free internet since the first ad blocker extension was made.

Same. It's a bit weird to write a whole article on ads on the Internet and not mention ad blocking once. I don't want to see ads, any ad, ever, and so far I'm succeeding, but I wonder how long this is going to last.

>It's a bit weird to write a whole article on ads on the Internet and not mention ad blocking once.

Because they don't want you to know about it. Most common users still don't. Look at where the article is published: a website that uses ads.

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#154

Post by leereeves »

zigman1 wrote: post #137
marcus_holmes wrote: post #48

Doesn't this end up spiralling, though? As we've seen with Netflix, nothing stops the service from adding ads to a subscription feed. Sooner or later the pressure to grow revenues is going to force Meta to do ads on their subscription accounts (especially since they can charge a premium on those ads). Then they introduce "premium" subscription accounts with no ads, then those get ads, then there's the "excelsior" sub…

Naive question, but when you sign up to pay for a service you are promised various functions or improvements, one of them is no-ads experience. If company then starts showing ads, isn't that breaking at least some consumer-protection laws?

I don't think any consumer-protection laws require a company to continue offering a service forever. They could surely stop the ad-free service and start a new service with ads.

But perhaps there are laws requiring companies to get explicit consent and not simply consider it a change in the existing service nor automatically sign people up for the service with the new terms (ads)?

I think there should be. I'm not a fan of companies changing their terms at will without clear notification. Clear meaning a plain English description of what's changed, not just "We've changed our ToS, read this long legal document again."

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#155

Post by jncfhnb »

mbork_pl wrote: post #117
marcus_holmes wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you pirate a social media product though?

Does meeting people face to face and talking about what happened in your lives count as "pirating facebook"? ;-)

Gotta go to an old folks home for that

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#156

Post by Gareth321 »

rambambram wrote: post #128
avgcorrection wrote: post #116

There’s this local newspaper. While I’m on a logged in account (EDIT: paid) the ads seem to take up at least 25% screen real estate at all times. The best ones are the ones that graciously show up while scrolling, dynamically—it’s like wathing TV (again)! My favorite place though is the gym. Which costs a lot when you just go there to use frickin’ weights and cardio equipment. LCD screens with ads running (for local…

Slightly off-topic, but a home gym pays back in no-time (if you only use weights and some simple equipment like a bench and a pullup rack, that is).

With a little creativity it can work well. The essentials include an olympic bar and weights, barbells, squat rack, and bench. The upfront cost isn't too bad (maybe a few years worth of gym membership). The space requirements can be prohibitive. Setup can also be annoying with limited space because it can mean dragging all the equipment to another location to use, then back again to pack it up.

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#157

Post by daveoc64 »

zigman1 wrote: post #137
marcus_holmes wrote: post #48

Doesn't this end up spiralling, though? As we've seen with Netflix, nothing stops the service from adding ads to a subscription feed. Sooner or later the pressure to grow revenues is going to force Meta to do ads on their subscription accounts (especially since they can charge a premium on those ads). Then they introduce "premium" subscription accounts with no ads, then those get ads, then there's the "excelsior" sub…

Naive question, but when you sign up to pay for a service you are promised various functions or improvements, one of them is no-ads experience. If company then starts showing ads, isn't that breaking at least some consumer-protection laws?

Companies word it carefully, like Spotify Premium:

"Enjoy ad-free music listening".

They still get paid to promote particular artists/songs to you on the home page.

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#158

Post by shiroiuma »

avgcorrection wrote: post #124
DarkNova6 wrote: post #121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But is this not a fundamental problem if you expect everything to be available for free? For journalism, this has become an existential threat as web-users generate nowhere near as much revenue than selling printed paper.

sigh What? I just described two scenarios where I’m on a paid plan and I still get ads. > For journalism, this has become an existential threat as web-users generate nowhere near as much revenue than selling printed paper. Printed, paid-for newspapers also have ads.

Not only that, but back in those days, the ads probably generated the lion's share of their revenues, along with the "classified ads" section (which is also ads, just not so commercial). That $0.10 you paid for the paper only really covered the cost of printing and distribution, if that.

Unlike today, though, the ads in newspapers weren't annoying: they were just print, and didn't pop up dynamically in front of the article you were reading, and no one tried to shame you for not looking at them, unlike today's HN users.

Re: Welcome to the ad-free internet

#159

Post by lkramer »

zigman1 wrote: post #145
Prickle wrote: post #123

The 5 minute airplane ad is nightmare fuel for me. How long until they kick up the brightness to wake you up. Imagine you are stuck in the window seat, forced to watch an ad you can't turn off? I am exaggerating obviously, but I do find it egregious that they would dare show more ads when ticket prices are already extremely high.

Question. Would you be okay with being shown an add if in turns your plane ticket price is noticeably cheaper?

That would be how it starts, but eventually the ad-free option would go away and your ticket is back to its original price + inflation
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